More Combat Ships to Be Built in Alabama

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June 27, 2017

Littoral Combat Ship USS Montgomery (LCS8) (Photo: Austal USA)

MOBILE, Ala. — The U.S. Navy ordered more Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) from Austal USA’s Mobile manufacturing facility last week, a move that shows the military’s confidence in the top-notch vessels. Austal will deliver to LCS to the Navy this year after delivering two last year on time and under budget.

“We’re very proud to be awarded this contract in such a highly competitive environment,” Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle said in a press release. “This demonstrates the Navy’s confidence in Austal being a key component in building their 355-ship fleet, which is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our incredible employees.”

The Littoral Combat Ship is a class of vessels used in operations close to shore (the littoral zone). They have been compared to Corvettes, built to swiftly move in fights with other vessels, as well as to hunt and destroy enemy submarines and mines. Most of the ships are constructed at a specialized production facility located in Mobile.

Overall, Austal’s LCS manufacturing supports more than 17,000 jobs across 42 states, including 4,000 Alabamians. Under the Obama Administration, the program was continually under siege, but the new administration appears to be reversing that trend.

The Navy has consistently maintained that a large fleet is paramount to maintaining the country’s national defense. When threatened with budget cuts last year, Vice Admiral Joseph Mulloy told the Senate Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee that the Navy still requires 52 LCS.

“Whether we’re supporting our delivered ships in San Diego or Singapore, Thailand or Vietnam, we continue hearing positive feedback from the fleet commanders on the value and effectiveness of our LCS and EPF,” Perciavalle said. “We remain dedicated to building these ships safely, timely and with the quality and craftsmanship our customers have come to know and expect from Austal.”